The 18th Daihatsu ABC Badminton National Primary School Tournament

Hiroshima Qualifying Tournament Report

The venue for the Hiroshima Qualifiers was "Bingo Athletic Park", a gymnasium surrounded in calming greenery, standing atop high ground and overlooking Onomichi-shi. About 160 players chased shuttles with all their might amidst cheers from their family and friends in an area with a total of 16 courts including the main and sub arena.

The event that received the greatest attention was the finals for the Class C Girls. The player conquered the intense battle was Okimoto, a primary one student. She is the younger sister of Yudai Okimoto, the victor of the National Primary School Championship and holder of the ticket for the national tournament. Her continuous manipulation of her small body to produce highly perfected ace shots generated voices of admiration. With her unyielding concentration, she shook off her opponent's chasing and emerged victorious. Both brother and sister's participation of the national tournament was decided.

In addition, the finals of the Class A Boys was unfortunately a battle amongst players of the same club team. It was a close match between two players who knew all about the tactics and styles of one another, ending up with snatching of points through swift rallies from the rear. Hinoishi conquered the first set after a fierce see-saw game. In the second set, he kept up his good rhythm and carried his advantage to secure his victory. The good fight brought about generous applause from the entire venue.

Interview of National Tournament Competitors

It was supposedly a day of worrying weather but by the morning, sunlight occasionally pierced through the cloudy skies and the surroundings of the gymnasium was already filled with vitality as the players conducted their warm ups. When the venue opened, the players, their families and supporters swarmed into the gymnasium. Daihatsu staff who were supporting the tournament welcomed them with a smile and passed them stick balloons used for cheering and sports drinks together with their cheerful greetings of welcome.

A mother who brought her young child along said, "It's great that the balloons are safe and fun for little children to use. As a memento for today, I will bring it home."
At the hall entrance area, life-sized cut-outs of the players in their Japan representative uniform were placed, and an event where the participants could send them supportive messages for the Japan Open was organized. Being able to feel as if the athletes they aspire to be were close to them, many children had their eyes twinkling. This was a scene that left an impression.

In addition, a special event, "Free regular inspection of your car" was organized. Service staff from Daihatsu conducted the inspection. Furthermore, after the tournament ended, cleaning activities around the venue was conducted as well.
A male applicant happily said, "Due to the rainy season, I wanted to do an inspection and thus I applied. I'm glad that the tyres that I had been worried about was also carefully inspected."